Westminster Council has hired one of the government's most senior civil servants as its new finance chief, it was announced today (23rd November).

Barbara Moorhouse, who has almost 30 years of experience in both the private and public sector and was recently the Director General, Corporate Resources, at the Department for Transport, has been appointed the council's new Strategic Director of Finance and Performance.

She will help Westminster respond and adapt to today's tough new economic climate and will play a major role in steering the council through its restructure and transformation programme. She will also sit on the council's strategic executive board.

Welcoming her appointment, Westminster's Chief Executive Mike More, said: "I am delighted that Barbara Moorhouse is joining Westminster Council. She has an exemplary record of achievement across the public and private sector and will be a real asset to the council.

"Barbara beat a very strong shortlist of candidates and has the skills, attributes and qualities that are needed to help lead one of the best performing local authorities in the country."

After graduating from Oxford with a degree in politics, philosophy and economics, Ms Moorhouse started her career as a company accountant.

Since then she has held a number of high profile financial roles including five years at two international technology companies before moving to senior roles at the heart of government.

In 2005, she was recruited as Director General, Finance and Commercial, for the then Department of Constitutional Affairs and played an integral role in its expansion and transformation into the Ministry of Justice.

She was later promoted to the newly created role of Director General, Corporate Resources, at the Department for Transport where she was responsible for a wide range of corporate functions and oversaw an annual budget of £15bn.

Ms Moorhouse said: "I am delighted to have this unique opportunity to join one of the best and most high profile councils in the country and help lead it into the next decade. Westminster rightly has an outstanding reputation in local government and it will be a privilege to serve the city's residents and the councillors who represent them."

Ms Moorhouse will replace Peter Hayday, Westminster's outgoing interim Director of Finance, who is leaving the council at the end December after nearly seven years in various roles in the finance department.

Mike More said: "Peter has been an excellent and highly effective Director of Finance who has contributed enormously to Westminster through some particularly difficult economic times. He has helped the council maintain its reputation for delivering first class value for money services to our local taxpayers and we wish him well for the future."

Mr Hayday said: "I've thoroughly enjoyed my time with Westminster Council and I am proud to have led such a high performing team of officers in helping to improve the lives of residents and businesses in the heart of London."

ENDS

Notes to editors

Barbara Moorhouse begins at Westminster in January. Peter Hayday officially leaves on the 31st December

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